THE PEACH. 273 



PEACH FAMILY— Catalogue of Varieties * 



It is not our purpose to perplex and bewilder the cultivator 

 of this esteemed fruit with the long lists which some authors 

 and nurserymen inflict on those who wish to engage in peach 

 culture. Our aim is to be really useful, by recommending 

 only those varieties whose fine qualities are well known and 

 appreciated, whether new or old. There can be no real ad- 

 vantage secured by choosing to cultivate a great many sorts, 

 from good to bad, merely for the purpose of display or cu- 

 riosity. Short lists and fine fruit should be our motto. 



American peaches, when cultivated in England, for want 

 of dry atmosphere, sun and heat, generally prove second rate 

 in that country, and will not ripen at all unless under glass, 

 or indifferently b}^ the side of walls. It is also believed that 

 many of the best European varieties are much finer here than 

 in Engla.id, or even in their native soil. In the various lists 

 which we have prepared for this work, some choice European 

 varieties are included. We have done this, because several 

 standard authors think such selection will improve our Ameri- 

 can collection by introducing their high qualities. They be- 

 lieve some of them to be purer and healthier in constitution 

 than many of our native kinds. But, as a general thing, it 

 is admitted that our best native varieties are far superior in 

 every respect to those of European or foreign origin. 



In describing peaches, the similarity of varieties is so 

 nearly identical that writers on this subject have resorted to 

 their particular characteristics to enable them to distinguish 

 one from another. The natural classes are, free-stones and 

 clingstones (melters and pavies), and a small class partaking 

 of the peculiarities of each — adhering slightly to the stone. 



The most notable natural distinction is in the leaves. At 

 the lower end or base of some kinds, are found small glands, 



* As but little Southern fruit has passed the ordeal of Southern Pomological Societies, 

 the selection, classification and description of both apples and peaches are necessarily 

 somewhat irregular and defective. This, we hope, will soon be remedied. The great 

 increase of fruit culture will require the formation of numerous Societies in all parta. 

 As the value of fruits become better understood and the adaptation , of the various 

 Southern regions to all the best fruits becomes better known, Pomology will receive 

 the attention it deserves, in a fine fruit-growing country. 



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